Raid on Bardia

Raid on Bardia
Part of the Siege of Tobruk, during the Second World War
British commandos in landing craft
Date 19/20 April 1941 Location Bardia, Cyrenaica 31°46′N 25°06′E / 31.767°N 25.100°E / 31.767; 25.100 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom  Australia	Germany  Italy
Commanders and leaders
Lieutenant Colonel Colvin	Erwin Rommel
Strength
A Battalion Layforce RTR Troop HMS Glengyle HMS Coventry HMAS Stuart HMAS Voyager HMAS Waterhen HMS Triumph
Casualties and losses
1 killed 70 captured	1 artillery battery destroyed 1 supply dump destroyed

The Raid on Bardia was an amphibious landing at the coastal town of Bardia in North Africa by British Commandos over the night of 19/20 April 1941 during the Second World War. The raid was carried out by No. 7 Commando, also known as A Battalion Layforce, together with a small detachment from the Royal Tank Regiment; the raiders were supported by five navy ships and a submarine. The raid destroyed an Italian artillery battery and a supply dump. It was deemed a success despite the loss of 71 men. The more lasting strategic effect of the raid was the diversion of a German armoured brigade from the front line to provide rear area security.